State releases audit information

CHEYENNE — The state Department of Audit recently released reports detailing the costs of maintaining county and municipal governments in Wyoming. The data represents the period from July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012.

Uinta County reported a total expenditure for the period of $18,438,631, with total revenue reported at $18,368,467, or a shortfall of $70,164.

Top budget expenditures listed in the report for Uinta County included the county sheriff’s office, at $3,036,204; the county’s road and bridge department, at $2,831,929; county administration, at $2,212,094; and the county jail, at $1,429,669.

The report listed the average net cost per person to operate the county during the reported period — according to 2010 Census numbers — was $893.

By comparison, neighboring Lincoln County’s average cost per person for the same period was $1,055; the statewide figure was $1,998.

The city of Evanston reported it spent $3,959,736 in enterprise fund expenditures — including those for electric, garbage, sewer and water services — while it raised $3,898,103, a shortfall of $61,633.

The bulk of the city’s revenue, which was generated from property taxes, licensing fees and funds from federal, state and local government entities, totaled $12,578,334. Evanston’s expenses for a variety of services ranging from police services, administration and road maintenance to parks facilities and community development, reached $12,613,473, or another shortfall of $35,139.

The report indicated the total revenue received from each of the city’s 12,359 residents was, on average, $1,333, while the city paid out, on average, $1,514, to provide services.

The reports, compiled from data provided voluntarily by the government entities — and not audited by the state — are a matter of public record. The full reports can be obtained from the state auditor’s website, audit.state.wy.us.